Beowulf is the longest surviving epic poem, which got translated to different languages hundreds of times. This masterpiece was originally written in Anglo-Saxon language, by an unknown author, somewhere between 8th and 11th centuries, in heroic style. It was written in England, even though the story takes place in Scandinavia. Beowulf is a story of friendship, heroism, support, and allegiance. This book is a faultless example of the hero’s journey, where the main character, an epic hero, Beowulf, meets misfortunes and successes on his way to éclat. In the beginning of the story, Beowulf sails to Danes in order to defeat a man-killing beast, and his mother as we find out later. After accomplishing this mission, the hero sail back to Geatland (Sweden our days) in triumph. Beowulf becomes king and rules his country for fifty years. Later, a dragon gets woken …show more content…
Some of the purposes are religious, and some are educational. One of the purposes for writing Beowulf was to show an example of a flawless hero, of man should be like. Beowulf is brave, loyal to his king, strong, and successful. Same kind of personality for a man will not work in the 21st century, at least because we do not have kings anymore, but definitely the rest of characteristics are considered to be indispensable for a good man. Maybe the author of Beowulf simply wanted to give an example of man’s personality, so everyone would follow it, and would try to be that kind of person. In this case, Beowulf was a propaganda for supporting the ruler, or the king. Because of this propaganda, people were not afraid to fight, kill, or even die for their king. This does not only support the idea, that Beowulf was a belief in old times, but it is a sort of belief in our days. People should be patriotic and loyal to their countries. People should support their president, and they should work in order to help their country’s
With ancient understandings and tales in the early times, Beowulf sings of times long forgotten, the times where the only tombs men sought was the battlefield, and their legacies, glory from the most extraordinary of feats. Eras filled with monsters, demons and selfless devotion towards the Glory of God. Even the flamboyant stories from the early centuries, still ring with connections to our world today, that our
For being a king, Loving, Beowulf is a great warrior, his very confident to fight to the monster, but his weaknesses when he see the beautiful girl under the sea, the girl pretend for being a innocent, in an evil side, Beowulf begged, and in loved her, and also when she came to the island, under the king hrothgar, his concern for the people live there. And when he is already a king, she love for the queen, and the other girl, so that when the dragon, came over the village, Beowulf do their best, to secure the queen, his wife, and the village in safe,. Brave and Good warrior, we recover much of what happens during his gap and therefore are able to see how Beowulf comforts himself as both as a warrior and a king, when the final episode, by encountering the dragon, we seen as the responsibilities of a king, who must act for the good of the people, and not just his own glory, he serve and give his life to put away his wife and queen to the dangers. Differ from those of the heroic warrior, his attitudes and characters as a warrior still…
This poem was first set in Scandinavia, which where Beowulf first became a hero of the geats. Beowulf is the oldest poem in English Language which has been told by Anglo-Saxons and still told by many people today, composed by an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet around 700 A.D. This poem is in the British library but became famous by the name of the story’s protagonist. In 1731, Sir Robert Bruce Cotton was very upset and unpleased by the burning of the Ashburnham House in London by someone.
Not just through characteristics, but through Beowulf's struggle and endeavors throughout the story, it resembles that of an epic hero. J.R.R Tolkien suggested the theme that a ‘man alien in a hostile world, engaged in a struggle which he cannot win’ states that Beowulf struggled in the hostile world, and in something he could not win; though he may have won battles through struggle, he never fully won. Being larger than life, going on a quest, and dying a symbolic death are the characteristics of an epic hero shown by Beowulf. In the theme of the story, the man alien was in a hostile world.
Beowulf is an epic poem about a brave heroic man that comes and helps a king get rid a monster. An epic poem is a story about someone who has heroic like ideas in a society. Beowulf is a story that was sung by the bards and scops because that would be the only thing that will be passed on even after his death. It was written by the Anglo-Saxons, who did not believe in the afterlife, unlike Christianity. So the warrior would have to do something that would let his memory be passed on.
“Beowulf” is an epic poem that happened to be set in Scandinavia even though it was written in England. This medieval poem consists of 3,182 lines, it is even said from archaeological discoveries that this story, is oldest surviving Anglo-Saxon manuscript (also considered one of the most important) may be true. Beowulf, the protagonist in the story is known as the bravest and the strongest warrior. In his time, only to later be named as a kind, gentle and generous king. For instance: “Crying that no better king had ever / Lived, no prince so mild, no man / So open to his people, so deserving of praise” (lines 895-897).
The description of the hero Beowulf help the reader imagine the savior that faces evil. For example “ The grey bearded lord of the Geats ended those flying burning raids forever” (pg 68 lines 792-794). The imagery in this quote shows the great king old but still very brave. he is showing that his pride and fame will overwhelm even the fact that he is not as strong and young as he used to be.
The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.
In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero, however in today 's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior. That’s because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments.
The story of Beowulf isn’t just any ordinary story, but a story that has been told for centuries. A story of a hero who’s legacy has been told for so long. Beowulf’s life shows the characteristics of a true epic hero. He showed bravery, he used his strength against his enemies and in the end gave the ultimate sacrifice for his people.
As a payment to the king of the Danes, he decides to fight the dragon, just as he fought Grendel. Then he was a warrior and now he is a king responsible for his people. Beowulf’s decision is courageous but inappropriate for a king. His foolish but courageous decision causes him to die in the end. Before he fought the mighty dragon, he said “I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought in endless battles.
Christopher Reeves once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Although Beowulf was human, he was not an ordinary individual, hero, or king, for he was a man who displayed superhuman qualities in his efforts to protect the Danish and Geatish people. Beowulf, who was established Geatish warrior that spent his life in battle, showed these extraordinary characteristics that made him an epic hero, one who possesses superhuman, almost god-like qualities. Being constantly on a quest, risking his life for glory and the greater good of society, and being superiorly intelligent, courageous and strong are the three most important reasons why Beowulf deserves such a notable
Very little is known about the epic poem Beowulf besides that the story was told during the Anglo-Saxon period, specifically between the years 500-1100. The author is unknown, due to the fact that the story was originally told verbally and not documented until much later. Like many stories told throughout the ages, Beowulf consists of many archetypes. An archetype is a recurring symbol found in literature, such as the Hero archetype. In this epic poem, the hero, Beowulf, travels from his homeland to Denmark to save a kingdom from an awful beast that has been attacking men late at night for over twelve years.
In terms of subjectivity, Beowulf has human flaws that can be said to have led to his downfall, but he is also the perfect hero who exhibits only the proper values of an Anglo-Saxon warrior. The scop who wrote this story depicted Beowulf in only a positive intended light, as this epic is meant to be the warrior?s story retold, highlighting their great feats and accomplishments. This being said, a hero to the Anglo-Saxons only had faults if they were unfaithful to their people or greedy, and Beowulf displays none of these qualities. Beowulf only acts in accordance to what he feels would be best for his people, his altruism exceeding those before him, and setting a precedent that no other could reach. While it is possible to interpret Beowulf as a hero with faults, he was not originally meant to be depicted that way.
Beowulf is one of the oldest and most well-known epic stories throughout the world. The main character in this story is Beowulf himself. Beowulf is a true and epic hero, who ultimately loses his life while trying to protect the he cared for. Beowulf was a man of great strength, which allowed him to defeat monster and make him the hero that he was. He did not have this strength on his own accord, but was assisted with some divine intervention.